Sticks and Stones

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me is not true. Words are powerful and they can hurt. People used to be referred by their disability, not their own name. Who would like to be called a feeder, wheelchair, walker, or a behavior? It is disrespectful to refer to someone by their disability, it does not define them, it is simply a part of them. When a care taker refers to their client as a non-verbal, that is wrong. They should say that Sally communicates with her body language. Our language shapes our attitudes and our attitudes shape our language. Our language and attitudes are intertwined, driving the our actions.


Using person first language puts the person first, before their disability. They are a person just the same as you, your parents, siblings, and friends. You should inquire their name before anything else.